15th Caribbean Week of Agriculture

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley has challenged Caricom to cut its four-billion-dollar food import bill by twenty five percent within the next five years.

Ms Mottley made the suggestion while addressing the opening ceremony for the 15th Caribbean Week of Agriculture at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.

Executive Director of the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Barton Clarke wants systems put in place to ensure agriculture in the Caribbean can rebound as quickly as possible after major climatic events, like hurricanes.

He says regional institutions should position themselves to facilitate the farmers' speedy return to production.

Mr Clarke also wants to see meaningful collaborations and partnerships in the agriculture sector.

Caricom Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque says while agriculture remains an important part of the regional economy, over the past several decades the sector has declined.

He went on to explain some of the reasons why.

Ambassador LaRocque also noted what should and is being done to address the situation.